Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff J.F. Newman succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 22 years earlier.
Two suspects shot Sheriff Newman with shotguns while he was walking the streets of Sweetwater. They were out on bond after Sheriff Newman had testified against them for horse theft. Sheriff Newman never recovered from the wounds and died as a direct result of his injuries.
The suspects were apprehended and served six years in prison.
Sheriff Newman had served with the Nolan County Sheriff's Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-2E2987D6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Newman gave the Nolan County Sheriff's Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sweetwater community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Newman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff James Franklin Newman is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,461 of 2,422 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Nolan County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Franklin Newman's cause is highlighted.
How James Franklin Newman Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Franklin Newman is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Franklin Newman was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Nolan County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
